Re: Bewketu Seyoum Poems.pdf
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Bewketu Seyoum Poems.pdf
Bewketu Seyoum is an Ethiopian poet, novelist, and socio-political satirist. He is the author of four volumes of poetry, two novels, two collections of short fiction, and numerous essays. Currently, hes an ICORN Writer-In-Residence at Pittsburghs City of Asylum, where hes recently completed a book of poems about life in the pandemic.
Bewketu Seyoum writes in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, but his poems have been translated into English and other languages. His poetry is known for its wit, humor, and social critique. He often addresses the issues of identity, culture, politics, and history in his poems, as well as the personal experiences of love, loss, and exile .
In this article, we will present three poems by Bewketu Seyoum that have been translated into English and published online. These poems are "New Year's Greetings", "Tell her that you love her", and "Then and Now". We will also provide some background information and analysis for each poem.
New Year's Greetings
This poem was published in Sampsonia Way Magazine in February 2021. It is a sarcastic response to the conventional wishes of happiness and peace that people exchange during the New Year. The poem reflects the poet's disillusionment with the state of the world, which he sees as a "minefield" covered by "fountain grass". He does not expect any change or improvement in the future, so he does not wish for peace or comfort. Instead, he desires some moments of respite and joy in the midst of the chaos and strife. He compares these moments to "a reticent tree shade", "a station offering respite", "a flash of order", and "a brief tea break". He also expresses his longing for "a moment of hugs" and "a few steps of dance".
New Years Greetings Wishing You a Happy New Year, Of peace Of bliss, of so-on, and of so-forth you still profess! Dont you have new words that might convince? Two score years have lapsed since New Year started morphing into the dreary mirror of its past, rendering the whole world a minefield fountain grass covered. What was absent in yesterday cant be discovered tomorrow, so I dont wish for peace, nor do I seek comfort. All that I ever desire is a reticent tree shade in the midst of the sweltering heat, a station offering respite at the belt of a hill trekked, a flash of order in the chaotic tumult, a brief tea break in the mildest of a fierce battle, where in the lull between the strife of the day and trials of those coming, a moment of hugs, and a few steps of dance. Translated from Amharic by Tariku AbasTell her that you love her
This poem was published in the Scottish Poetry Library website. It is a passionate plea to express one's love before it is too late. The poem uses various metaphors to convey the urgency and importance of telling one's beloved how one feels. The poet compares life to "an ox you borrowed", which can be taken away at any time. He also compares time to "rings and bracelets", which can be easily removed from one's hand. He warns that if one waits too long, one might lose the chance to see one's lover alive and beautiful. He imagines the tragic scenarios of death, decay, and disappearance that could befall one's lover. He urges one to tell one's lover that one loves her while one has a mouth and she has ears.
Tell her that you love her Life is like that ox you borrowed it cannot be permanently harnessed it comes for a limited time and will leave when the time is over These days, weeks and months are not rings and bracelets fastened to your hand So tell her now that you love her Before the flowers shed their petals and all the sweet scent has gone Before the garden gets locked and ants take the place of the bees Before the lamp light goes out completely struck by the wings of the wind Tell her now that you love her Before she rises up to go to a place far and unknown while she is still here beautiful and alive Before the earth holds her like a stone thrown to the ground Before she becomes the ash you will not paint your face with Before her body melts into air you will not breathe while you have a mouth and she has ears Tell her now that you love her Translated from Amharic by Cheryl MoskowitzThen and Now
This poem was also published in Sampsonia Way Magazine in February 2021. It is a reflection on the impact of the pandemic on the poet's relationship with his lover. The poem contrasts the past and the present, using the metaphor of a river and a cabin. The poet says that he was a river running free in a meadow, but now he is caged in the flatlands. He also says that his lover's free-flowing body is shut away in a small locked cabin. He wonders if they should still meet as they had planned before they were trapped, or if they should cancel their rendezvous for an unknown future. He expresses his desire and frustration, saying that missing her is the real disease. He also implies that meeting her could be fatal, as he mentions death as a possible third partner in their bed.
Then and Now I was a river running free in a meadow but now I am caged in the flatlands and the free-flowing body of you is shut away also in a small locked cabin because we both know this rain of bad luck could fall on us too. We had arranged a meeting before we were trapped for tonight at 8pm. Are you still coming? Should I break free, uncage myself? Should I make my bed ready for you and me and death a threesome? Or should we cancel postpone reschedule for an unknown future? I will continue to want with no getting your warmth, your love your arms, your thighs. Missing you is the real disease no vaccine can prevent it. Translated from Amharic by Cheryl MoskowitzWe hope that this article has given you some insight into the poetry of Bewketu Seyoum, one of the most prominent contemporary Ethiopian poets. If you want to read more of his poems, you can find them online or in print. You can also watch some of his performances on YouTube. Bewketu Seyoum is a voice that deserves to be heard and appreciated by a wider audience.
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